Improvement in street-pavements



UNITED STATES N. MENDAL SHAFER,

PATENT OFFICE.

0E NEW Yoan, N. Y.

IM PROVEM ENT IN STREET- PAVEMENTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 44,464, dated September 27, 1864.

i o all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, N. MENDAL SHAEER, of tlze city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and Improvc d Pavement; and I do hereby decla-re that the following is a full, clean-and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 represents a transverse vertical section of this invention, taken in the plane indicated by the line a' Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a plan or top view of the same.

Similar letters ot' reference indicate like parts.

This invention consists in the employment or use for paving streets, &c., of diamondshaped skeleton blocks, cast or otherwise inanufactured with steady pins or lugs on one and with corresponding holes in the opposite side, and with semi bottom danges projecting over the edge on two sides of each block in such a manner that in placing the blocks together the steady-pins ot' one catch into the holes of the adjoining one, and at the same time the projecting part of the bottom iia'n ge of each block catches under and supports that part of the adjoining block which is not supported by its own bottom ange, and by these means a solid and durable pavement is produced. The blocks are strengthened by a longitudinalcentral partition, and these partitions are nearlytwice as thick as the sides of the blocks,

so that when the blocks are in position all the surfaces exposed to wear are, as near as possible, equalized, and an uneven wear of the blocks is prevented. The sides and'central partitions of said blocks are provided with depressions and impressions made lso that the horses obtain a foothold and are prevented from slipping, and said parts, being the weakest in the block, will keep wearing somewhat in advance of the other heavier parts, and the block will preserve the requisite roughness until it is completely worn.

A represents a diamond shaped skeleton block, cast of iron or other suitable metal, and provided with a semi bottom flange, B, which lis cast solid with the block, and made to project over two of its sides, as clearly shown in the drawings. The blocks are provided with central partitions, ci, extending through them in a longitudinal direction, and from two of their adjacent sides project lugs or steady-pins b, which may be cast solid with the blocks or otherwise fastened in their sides, as may be most convenient. Those sides of each block opposite the steady-pins b are provided with holes c, corresponding in size and position to said pins, so that when the blocks are put up side by side the steady-pins of each block catch in the hole of its neighbor, and at the same timethatportion of the bottom flange of each block which projects beyond its sides catches under the edge of the adjoining block, and a lirm, solid structure is obtained, which is not easily dislodged. The central. partitions, a, are made twice as thick (or nearly so) as the sides of the blocks, so that when the pavement is laid down the thickness of all the parts is as near as possible equal, and an even wear is insured throughout. The cavities between the partitions and sides of each block are filled with sand or pebbles, and in order to give tothe horses a foothold on the edges of the block said edges are provided with depressions cla-t different points; and, furthermore, at those points where the depressions are situated the sides and partitions of the blocks are made thinner and provided with impressions e, so that the depressed parts of the blocks, notwithstanding the fact that they Y are depressed, and consequently less exposed to wear, will, on account of their smaller surface, wear off equally fast with the remainder, and the surface of the blocks is prevented from wearing smooth.

It is obvious that the size of the blocks and the number of depressions and corresponding impressions can be changed at pleasure, and I do not wish to confine myself strictly to the form and shape shown in the drawings, but reserve4 the right to make such alterations as experience may dictate.

I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The use for paving streets, Sto., of da mondshaped blocks A, provided with steadypins b, holes c, and semi bottom iianges, B, in the manner and for the purpose substantially as herein described.

2. The combined depressions and impressions cl e' in the sides and partitions of the blocks, to prevent the surfaces of the same from wearing smooth, as described.

N. MENDAL SHAFER.

Witnesses:

W. HAUEE, THEO. TUscH. 

